Religious leaders give same Christmas message in different tones

Hong Kong’s religious leaders called for reconciliation in their Christmas messages but in different tones.

The Most Reverend Paul Kwong, the Archbishop of the Hong Kong Anglican Church, said political conflicts over the past year have left Hong Kong people bruised and society seriously divided with the damage extending beyond the economy, people’s livelihood and the rule of law, Christiantimes.org.hk reported.

For his part, Cardinal John Tong Hon, the head of the Catholic Church in the city, urged the faithful to restore broken relationships and re-establish mutual trust and understanding between individuals and between the government and the public, the report said.

Kwong traced the roots of many problems in society to inappropriate governance, opportunisticpoliticians and media antics, adding that the situation has made people angry and defiant.

A genuine dialogue between the government and the people is essential for reconciliation, he said.

Meanwhile, Tong said cracks in relationships have emerged among members of families, schools, offices and various groups due to social issues.

“For Hong Kong’s future, all problems need to be solved and cracks need to be mended so that our next generations can have a better society,” the Cardinal said as he prayed to Jesus Christ to help Hong Kong people build a society that is freer and more democratic.

Hong Kong is an accommodating society that accepts different voices and ways of expression, and Christmas is a time for people to stop for a while and reflect on the roles they should play in society, he said.

Drive past Hong Kong’s container terminal in Kwai Chung and it’s a sight to behold: thousands of metal shipping containers stacked atop one another. Most of them hold goods being shipped overseas from China’s...

Hong Kong’s power utilities, CLP Holdings (00002.HK) and HK Electric Investments (02638.HK), are set to raise their tariffs by 1.9 percent from January 1. According to announcements Tuesday, the companies are revising their charges...

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has announced that the government’s transport subsidy scheme will cover four more transport services to benefit more people, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reports. The Public Transport Fare...

Rumor has it that Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung is determined to step down and return to private practice by the end of this month. When Chief Executive Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor took over the...

The government is set to pull the plug on the Internet Learning Support Program in August next year, according to media reports. The program, run by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer...

Secretary for Development Michael Wong Wai-lun dismissed rumors that a light rail system will be built on Lantau Island, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reports. According to a media report, a government consultant has decided...

Legislative Council President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen feels the tussle between pan-democratic lawmakers and the establishment camp in relation to a debate over proposed changes to the Legco’s rules of procedure cannot drag on endlessly. Leung told...

The democrats appear to be fighting a losing battle in their effort to prevent changes to the Legislative Council rules. Public opinion is not on their side. Neither is time. The establishment camp is...